When to Plant Chicory in Tazewell County, VA
Your May game plan for Tazewell County, Virginia
A quick May briefing for Tazewell County, Virginia gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Move chicory into the garden
Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- Starting indoors: chicory
Chicory is a hardy perennial grown for its bitter leaves and roots. The roots can be roasted as a coffee substitute, and the leaves add complexity to salads.
Tazewell County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.
At an elevation of 1,132 feet, Tazewell County receives approximately 44.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Chicory during the growing season.
Tazewell County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-7
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Soil Compatibility in Tazewell County
How your county's soil matches Chicory's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–7.0) overlaps with Chicory's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Tazewell County is excellent for Chicory — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Chicory.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Chicory.
How to Plant Chicory
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chicory
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 19 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 03.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Chicory
Chicory needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Chicory Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 3.1" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Tazewell County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Chicory Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Chicory Planting Timeline — Tazewell County, VA
Chicory Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 2 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Direct Sow | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 9 |
| Harvest | July 4 | Jul 4 – Aug 15 |
| Fall Sowing | August 3 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
60–85 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
163 days in Tazewell County
Growing Tips for Chicory in Tazewell County
Direct sow Chicory outdoors after May 02 in Tazewell County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Chicory in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
Sow seeds directly in spring. Thin plants to 8-12 inches apart. For forcing, dig roots in fall and replant in a dark, cool area to produce blanched chicons.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Chicory in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chicory in Tazewell County, VA?
Tazewell County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Chicory planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Tazewell County, VA?
Tazewell County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 12.
Your Tazewell County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Tazewell County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.